Red Wing City Council ICE Statement

The Red Wing City Council Monday night voted 5-2 in favor of an official City statement on recent ICE enforcement in Red Wing.

Council members Ron Goggin and Don Kliewer voted no.  

“As a City Council, we strive to fulfill the City of Red Wing's mission to create a sustainable, healthy, accessible, resilient, and equitable community where every person feels at home. Every person deserves dignity and respect, to live without fear or intimidation, and to have their constitutional rights upheld.

Due to the recent actions of federal agents to enforce immigration laws, many of our Red Wing neighbors are living in fear, fear of being taken from their homes, cars, schools, work stablishments, and places of worship.

Today, we ask the federal and state governments to work together to end this uncertainty and fear. We ask that no Red Wing public property be used for staging. We also want to provide a clear message to the public regarding the City of Red Wing’s Police Department.

Our officers do not participate in or assist with civil immigration enforcement.

The Red Wing Police Department’s role is to protect public safety and build trust with the community. Everyone in Red Wing, regardless of immigration status, should feel safe calling 911, reporting crimes, seeking help, or cooperating as a witness or victim.

Officers do not stop, question, detain, or conduct checks based on immigration status. If our officers are present during any federal activity, it is only to address public safety concerns, protect people and property, and focus on de-escalation.

The City of Red Wing has clear internal policies and ongoing training for City staff on how to respond to federal requests, including federal agent access to City property and limits on assistance with civil immigration actions.

The City of Red Wing protects residents' rights to access city services without fear of inquiries into their immigration status.

It takes each of us in Red Wing to form a caring and respectful community. We stand with our residents, our faith leaders, our educators, our businesses, and community members who are acting every day to respond with courage and compassion.”